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Tips for selecting a geology hammer holster or sheath

Buy geology hammer holsters

A hammer holster attaches to your tool belt for convenience in carrying your rock hammer. There are two basic types: the holster or "hammer loop" and the "hammer sheath"  which encloses the hammer head. Which one to choose depends on your hammer style and personal preference.

Basic hammer loop All leather holster or loop Hammer sheath

Hammer holster or loop In a pinch, for a couple of dollars at any hardware store you can buy a universal hammer loop with a steel loop riveted to the leather  or fabric piece that goes on your belt.   These do the job,  but some people object to the noise the steel loop makes when you are walking and the hammer is rocking around.  Some people just wrap the steel loop with duct tape to make it quieter. A better option is to buy one of the all leather types.

All leather hammer holsters and loops That is the kind shown in the image above.   They will fit either the pick or chisel style geology hammers, and there are special versions for crack or sledge hammers. IWe sell two types of all leather hammer loops. The economy loop model is almost identical to the hardware store steel type, except the loop is made from a leather piece about one inch high.  The all leather type is hard to find in hardware stores.  The disadvantage to the economy loop is that the hammer swings about a bit as you walk, and sometimes the handle bangs on your leg.  You can expect the  low cost leather loop to last for two or three field seasons,  but eventually the leather loop will stretch out of shape or pull out of the rivets,  and you will need a new one.

The professional hammer holster is made by Gfeller Casemakers, who have made field gear for geology tools for over 50 years.  We have a Gfeller hammer holster that was made in the early 1950's that is still being used.  They call it a hammer holster rather than a loop because the part that holds the hammer is about  3  inches high.  This keeps your hammer in a much more upright  position, making it easier to grab when needed, and easier to put back without looking.  Gfeller uses heavy saddle leather, heavy stitching, and rust proof rivets.  The Gfeller holster has a snap strap that helps keep the hammer from falling out.  Usually we only use the strap when the tool belt is thrown into the back of a vehicle and we don't want the hammer to fall out.

Hammer Sheath Some prefer a sheath style hammer carrier because it provides some protection from the pointed pick while hiking. But after a geology hammer has been used a while, the pick or chisel end is somewhat blunted, and the need for a sheath isn't as apparent.  Sheaths can be handy if you pack your hammer in your gear and want to protect other items from damage. In the field, we don't use a hammer sheath ourselves.  That's because unless the flap is snapped, it is fairly easy for a hammer to work its way out and get lost without noticing it is gone.  A Gfeller hammer holster is much more secure. There is a great deal of variation in quality between makers of hammer sheaths. Gfeller makes really good ones that are durable and snap securely.  If you must have a hammer sheath, buy a Gfeller.  The low cost ones we have seen are made from leather that will quickly stretch out of shape and become a nuisance to use.   Hammer sheaths are made in different styles and sizes to custom fit pick style or chisel style hammers. We do not currently stock hammer sheaths.

Buy geology hammer holsters

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